Drinking-cup holder



(No Model.)

H. M. EVA-NS. DRINKING 0UP HOLDER.

Patented Jill 9, 1895.

lV/TNESSES' lhvrrnn STATES PAT T Curios.

HORACE M. EVANS, OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA.

DRINKING-CUP HOLDER.

SPECIFICATiON forming part of Letters Patent No. eaaaes, dated July 9,1895.

Application filed January 30, 1895. Serial No. 536,672- (No model.)

To 00% whom it may 00mm.-

Be it known that I,- HORACE M. EVANS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Valparaiso, in the county of Porter and State of Indiana,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Drinking-Cup Holders,which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification andaccompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a front elevation, partlyin section, of my improved drinking-cup holder; Fig. 2, a centralvertical section showing a side view of the same; Fig. 3, a horizontalsection on line x x of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a central vertical sectionshowing the interior mechanism and the lid in raised position; Fig. 5, aside view of the same; and Fig. 6 a view of a collar by which the holdermay be attached to the back of a church-pew or other perpendicularsurface.

My invention pertains to improvements in sanitary appliances; and itspurpose is to provide a simple, practical, and efficient device designedto obviate the danger of infection resulting from the use of commondrink I ing cups or glasses in school-rooms, railwaycars, or otherplaces of public assemblage.

The germ origin of diseases having been thoroughly demonstrated, it isno longer a theoretical question, and the highest physiological andmedical authorities have established the doctrine that the spread ofcontagious diseases of every description may be practically arrested bythe observance of a few sanitary precautions aided by suitableappliances.

This invention consists of a holder or case adapted to contain andprotect a drinking cup or glass of the usual form, and any desired size,for the exclusive individual use of pupils in schools, pew-holders inchurches, and travelers on land and sea.

The peculiar construction and advantages of the device will be readilyperceived by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Arepresents the body of the holder, which may be made of metal, hardrubber, or any suitable material. The top is provided with a flange 2,and on one side is a hollow rib 3, toprovide interior space for themechanism, as will be hereinafter specified. A shaft 4:, having its endsjournaled in the side's of the holder, extends across the bottomthereof. A cam-lever 5 is attached to the center of the shaft, whichcarries on one end a crank 6, which is pivotally attached to apitman-rod 7, having a vertical movement within the hollow rib 3. Theupper end of the said pitman is also pivotally attached to a lug 8,forming a part of the hinge 9, which is pivoted to the sides of thehollow rib and suitably attached to the lid or cover 10. In order toprevent the introduction of dust orother foreign matter the cover isprovided near its outer edge with a rib, which engages a correspondinggroove in the upper surface of the rim of the holder. In ordinary usethe weight of the cover suffices to keep it closed, but when carried bytravelers in their hand-baggage it should be provided with aspring-catch 11. When required for school use it may be inserted in thetop of the pupils desks in the same manner as the inkstands. If it bedesired to utilize itin church buildings, it may be attached to the backof a pew by a collar, as shown in Fig. 6.

The operation of the device will now be explained. For obvious reasonsthe cover is so adjusted as to remain normally closed. When a cup orglass 12 is introduced its weight depresses the lever 5. The crank 6,acting on .the piston-rod, draws the cover down, which is then kept inclose contact with the rim of the holder. the cover is raised and thecup, being forced up by the reversed action of the lever, maybe easilytaken out for use.

If the device should be kept in an exposed place the lid should beprovided with a hasp .and the adjoining rim of the holder with asuitable staple for a padlock, by which the cup may be made secureagainst meddlesome interference.

lVhat I claim as new is- The combination with a drinking cup, of theherein described receptacle or holder, provided interiorly and beneaththe cup with a rock-shaft 4:, the oscillating lever 5, and the crank 6attached to the said rock-shaft; and the pitman 7 having its endsconnected respectively to the said crank and the lid of the receptacle,substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand,this 16th day of January, 1895, in the presence of witnesses.

- HORACE M. EVANS.

Witnesses:

J. H. MoGI LL, A. D. BARTHOLOMEW.

When it is desired to use the cup

